One of many UK’s oldest golfers has set himself a New 12 months’s decision
simply days earlier than celebrating his 91st birthday – to hit a gap in a single.
Michael Quirke has been a member at Oxford Golf Membership in Cowley for over
three many years and nonetheless performs twice weekly on the Hill High Highway course
to stay match and social in retirement.
The previous businessman emigrated to the UK from Kilkenny in 1953 and a
12 months later discovered himself in Oxford after arriving on shores he now calls
residence with simply £2 to his title.
After working as a metal erector to pay his payments, Michael based his
personal enterprise and by the Eighties employed greater than 150 staff who coated
jobs spanning the size and breadth of Britain.
It was solely in retirement the father-of-two first picked up a golf membership
and he’s been hooked since by representing Oxford Golf Membership as Captain
in 2003 and President between 2012 and 2014.
He can nonetheless strike a ball 160 yards and hopes 2025 will be the 12 months he
breaks his gap in a single duck.
“I’d like to hit a gap in a single,” mentioned Michael. “We’ve 5 par three
holes on the membership and three of them are in my vary so every time I attain
them I hope I’ll get fortunate.
“After I labored, I may by no means perceive why folks would play golf. However
now I stay up for getting out on the course.
“It retains me match and I’ve made buddies for all times. I’m lucky my
daughter lives on the identical plot of land I bought and renovated in
Iffley within the Eighties, but it surely’s nonetheless an awesome excuse to get off the bed and
meet new folks.
“Thirty years on I nonetheless love taking part in and far of that’s right down to the
camaraderie between members and visitors on the membership which has been very
good to me.”
Michael was bedridden after testing optimistic for COVID-19 two years in the past,
however he has by no means allowed his age to carry him again.
A lot in order that he not too long ago helped to refurbish the membership’s shed which
homes its golf buggies and has booked a {golfing} vacation to Eire in
June as a part of his continued membership with the South Midlands Irish
Golf Society.
“I am going again to Eire yearly on the ferry,” mentioned Michael. “Throughout
the pandemic I did lose a little bit of curiosity in golf, however when issues
returned to regular you realise how good it’s for you bodily and
socially.
“Lots has modified since I began taking part in, principally the principles. I’ve
performed throughout Europe and I can actually say Oxford Golf Membership is as
good as any I’ve visited.
“A gap in a single and reaching my hundredth birthday – these are my two
targets now!”
Based in 1873 Oxford Golf Membership was the unique membership of Oxford
College and to this present day options an 18-hole course designed by
legendary golf architect Harry Colt.
Additional details about Oxford Golf Membership is on the market on-line by way of
www.oxfordgolfclub.co.uk
